MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire University Associate Director of Athletics Tom Wilkins announced Monday that Eric Coplin has been named the Director of Athletics Communications and will begin his duties Oct. 26.
Coplin is replacing Greg Royce, who served in this role for eight years. Coplin brings over a decade of collegiate athletic communications experience in the Granite State with lengthy stints at the University of New Hampshire and most recently as director of athletics communications at Saint Anselm College.
“I'm very excited to bring Eric into Penmen athletics. He's a perfect fit for our flourishing athletic department. Having worked with Eric at UNH and seeing him develop a strong department at Queen City-rival Saint Anselm, it was a major coup for our department to bring him on board. Eric has a strong skill set and a great reputation within the Northeast-10 and with the New England media. Adding his experience with Geoff Lopes', our coordinator of athletics communications, broad knowledge and expertise in video production and editing will make us a very strong external relations team. Additionally, I want to wish Greg Royce the best in his new and exciting role at Stevenson University,” Wilkins said.
Coplin will be charged with oversight of the publicity and promotion efforts for the Penmen's 19 intercollegiate athletic programs, with his responsibilities including the official athletic website – SNHUPenmen.com – all social media platforms and Coplin will also work closely with Wilkins on other external endeavors, such as TV and radio agreements.
“I am extremely thrilled to be making the short trip across the city and remaining in the Northeast-10 Conference as I accept this fantastic opportunity at an institution that cares so deeply about its athletic program as Southern New Hampshire University,” Coplin said. “I would like to thank Tom Wilkins and Director of Athletics Anthony Fallacaro for their belief in me being the right person to continue taking the athletics communications production to the next level during this truly exciting time to be a Penmen.”
Coplin arrives at SNHU after serving as the Director of Athletic Communications at fellow Queen City and NE-10 institution Saint Anselm College since February of 2011. While on the Hilltop, Coplin was responsible for the athletic communications operation for the college's 20 intercollegiate athletic programs, including managing the athletic department website – SaintAnselmHawks.com – overseeing all social media and webcasting efforts, producing press releases, game stories and department publications, compiling statistics for all home contests and assisting in home game management. He also led re-designs of SaintAnselmHawks.com in both 2011 and 2014.
Coplin arrived on the Hilltop after a four-year stint as the Assistant Director of Athletic Media & Public Relations at the University of New Hampshire, where he served as the primary contact for the men's basketball and women's soccer teams, as well as the men's and women's cross country teams, and the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field squads. He was also directly involved with the game day media relations for a large number of the university's NCAA Division I athletic programs, including men's and women's ice hockey, football, women's basketball, men's soccer, field hockey and women's lacrosse.
Coplin, a native of Plaistow (N.H.), earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology: Sport Studies from New Hampshire in May 2007. He currently resides in Manchester with his son, Cameron.
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